The first thing an IP attorney specializing in trademarks would advise you is to refrain from infringing on the trademarks of others, especially famous ones.
No such advice reached the registrant of LinkedInBabes.com apparently, and the domain name was challenged via the UDRP process.
What’s wrong with this domain?
It contains the LINKEDIN trademark, which matches the name of the world-famous web site and service, LinkedIn.com.
We aren’t quite sure what was the intention of its Registrant and Respondent in this case; sharing photos of good-looking women from LinkedIn?
There was no official response to the UDRP, and only a series of emails instead:
October 4, 2015 – “Hi What is the issue? Thanks”
October 6, 2015 – “What do you need me to do?”
October 8, 2015 – “Site taken down, thanks”
October 23, 2015 – “The site has been taken down already more than a week ago. Please confirm. Thanks”
October 23, 2015 – “The site has been taken down. If they want the domain too, I guess they can get it. How much will they be paying for it? Thanks”
The sole panelist in this case, stated:
“One way a complainant may demonstrate bad faith registration and use is to show that a respondent has intentionally attempted to attract, for commercial gain, Internet users to its website by creating a likelihood of confusion with a complainant’s mark as to the source, sponsorship, affiliation or endorsement of its website or of products or services on it. Given that these are the circumstances in the present case, the Panel finds that, for the purposes of the Policy, there is evidence of both registration and use of the Domain Name in bad faith.”
It comes as no surprise that the domain was ordered to be transferred to the Complainant.
For the full text of the UDRP case against the Registrant of LinkedInBabes.com, click here.
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